Jeremiah 20:3

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah unto him, The LORD hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magor-missabib.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַֽיְהִי֙

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מִֽמָּחֳרָ֔ת

H4283

And it came to pass on the morrow

the morrow or (adverbially) tomorrow

וַיֹּצֵ֥א

H3318

brought forth

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

פַשְׁחוּר֙

H6583

Pashur

pashchur, the name of four israelites

אֶֽת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יִרְמְיָ֗הוּ

H3414

Jeremiah

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

מִן

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַמַּהְפָּ֑כֶת

H4115

out of the stocks

a wrench, i.e., the stocks

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר

H559

Then said

to say (used with great latitude)

#10

אֵלָ֜יו

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#11

יִרְמְיָ֗הוּ

H3414

Jeremiah

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

#12

לֹ֤א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#13

פַשְׁחוּר֙

H6583

Pashur

pashchur, the name of four israelites

#14

קָרָ֤א

H7121

hath not called

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

#15

יְהוָה֙

H3068

unto him The LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#16

שְׁמֶ֔ךָ

H8034

thy name

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

#17

כִּ֖י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#18

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

#19

מָג֥וֹר

#20

מִסָּבִֽיב׃

H4036

but Magormissabib

magor-mis-sabib, a symbolic name of pashur

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Jeremiah